Title 38 — Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-73not60
§1719 Repair or Replacement of Certain Prosthetic and Other Appliances
Title 38 › Part II— GENERAL BENEFITS › Chapter 17— HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME, DOMICILIARY, AND MEDICAL CARE › Subchapter II— HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME, OR DOMICILIARY CARE AND MEDICAL TREATMENT › § 1719
Summary
The VA can repair or replace a veteran’s needed artificial limb, truss, brace, hearing aid, glasses, or similar device (not dental appliances) if it was damaged or destroyed in a fall or accident caused by a service-connected disability. This applies to veterans who get disability pay or who would be entitled to it but for receiving retirement pay.
Full Legal Text
Title 38, §1719
Veterans' Benefits — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Secretary may repair or replace any artificial limb, truss, brace, hearing aid, spectacles, or similar appliance (not including dental appliances) reasonably necessary to a veteran and belonging to such veteran which was damaged or destroyed by a fall or other accident caused by a service-connected disability for which such veteran is in receipt of, or but for the receipt of retirement pay would be entitled to, disability compensation.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1991—Pub. L. 102–83, § 5(a), renumbered section 619 of this title as this section. Pub. L. 102–83, § 4(b)(1), (2)(E), substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator”. 1976—Pub. L. 94–581 substituted “belonging to such veteran” for “belonging to him”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
of 1976 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 94–581 effective Oct. 21, 1976, see section 211 of Pub. L. 94–581, set out as a note under section 111 of this title.
Effective Date
Pub. L. 87–850, § 2, Oct. 23, 1962, 76 Stat. 1126, provided that: “The amendment made by this Act [enacting this section] shall apply only with respect to the repair or replacement of artificial limbs, trusses, braces, hearing aids, spectacles, and similar devices damaged or destroyed after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 23, 1962].”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 1719
Title 38 — Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60